Christmas Joy

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that "All that Jesus did and taught, from the beginning until the day he was taken up to Heaven, is to be seen in he light of the mysteries of Christmas and Easter" (No. 512). Speaking specifically of the mystery of Christmas, the Catechism reminds us that the condition for entering the Kingdom of God is to become a child in relation to God (No. 526). This becoming a child demands that we humble ourselves and be "born of God"; Christ has to literally be formed in us. Christmas is the mystery of this "marvelous exchange." Only when Christ is fully formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us (cf. No. 526). I offer these Christmas reflections in the hope that they will help fulfill that "marvelous exchange" of life with Christ. Together with my reflections on Easter, may they help to purify and strengthen that light, in which we better understand all that Jesus taught and did during His earthly life.